6 Pretty and Poisonous DIY Halloween Decorations

Haunt your home with these sinister do-it-yourself decorating and entertaining ideas.

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Lace Candles

Lace Candles

Cast a few dark shadows with these glamorous candles. Just cut a length of lace, lay it on a paper plate, and brush on nontoxic, nonflammable black tempera paint. Roll a pillar, taper, or votive across the trim to pick up the pattern. Don't worry if the transfer is imperfect—a slightly decayed look up ups the elegance. Then, let the paint dry for at least an hour before lighting the candle. Or, decorate a glass holder by cutting a strip of lace-printed tape ($7 for 27 1/2 yards; tapeswell.com) to fit the vessel and adhering it to the outer surface.

Quentin Bacon

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Sinful Sweets

Sinful Sweets

Tarting up these desserts is frighteningly simple. To decorate brownies, lay a swatch of lace on one of the treats. Sift confectioners' sugar over the top, then carefully remove the lace; repeat for remaining brownies. For the "poison" cookies, frost sugar cookies with white royal icing (find the recipe here), allowing it to set overnight. Next, put a small amount of black gel paste ($1.99 for .75 ounces; nycake.com) in a shallow dish, and lay two stacked paper towels atop the gel paste. Press a skull-and-crossbones rubber stamp ($7; 100proofpress.com) onto the towels and then onto one iced cookie; repeat the process for your entire batch.

Lace Candles

Cast a few dark shadows with these glamorous candles. Just cut a length of lace, lay it on a paper plate, and brush on nontoxic, nonflammable black tempera paint. Roll a pillar, taper, or votive across the trim to pick up the pattern. Don't worry if the transfer is imperfect—a slightly decayed look up ups the elegance. Then, let the paint dry for at least an hour before lighting the candle. Or, decorate a glass holder by cutting a strip of lace-printed tape ($7 for 27 1/2 yards; tapeswell.com) to fit the vessel and adhering it to the outer surface.

Quentin Bacon

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Sinful Sweets

Tarting up these desserts is frighteningly simple. To decorate brownies, lay a swatch of lace on one of the treats. Sift confectioners' sugar over the top, then carefully remove the lace; repeat for remaining brownies. For the "poison" cookies, frost sugar cookies with white royal icing (find the recipe here), allowing it to set overnight. Next, put a small amount of black gel paste ($1.99 for .75 ounces; nycake.com) in a shallow dish, and lay two stacked paper towels atop the gel paste. Press a skull-and-crossbones rubber stamp ($7; 100proofpress.com) onto the towels and then onto one iced cookie; repeat the process for your entire batch.

Quentin Bacon

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Dangerous Libations

The question "What's your poison?" takes on an air of knowing humor, when decanters sport these lethal labels.

Serve a few bone-chilling cocktails with the help of our apothecary-inspired labels and red poison stickers. Download the free PDFs, then print on sticker paper ($10.45 for 100 sheets; worldlabel.com). Give the apothecary labels a glossy look by covering that page with clear laminate ($10.79 for an eight-yard roll; staples.com). Then, cut out all the designs, and stick them onto bottles (for similar, $41.70 for six; grainger.com) decanted with the beverage of your choice.

To conjure up a hauntingly gorgeous mirror like the one behind our bar, adhere a piece of lace fabric to the glass with repositionable spray adhesive, then apply Krylon's Frosted Glass Finish in Pearl Gray ($8.96; amazon.com). Wait until dry, about 15 minutes, before peeling off the cloth. Don't worry—the finish is easy to remove later.

Bright idea: Even your sweetener can be sinister, thanks to these French absinthe sugar cubes, seen on the tray ($9.99 for 100; ebay.com).

Quentin Bacon

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Veiled Pumpkins

Part cobweb, part creeping vine, the effect of black lace on painted pumpkins is thoroughly macabre. Begin by painting pumpkins (or faux Funkins, from $18; funkins.com); we opted for Farrow & Ball's Green Blue. Once they're dry, use our photo (left) as a guide to cut out pieces of lace; brush matte Mod Podge onto the back sides, and adhere to your pumpkins. Finish by sealing each with a topcoat of Mod Podge.

Quentin Bacon

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Truly Fine Art

Just as Charlotte's webs attracted admirers, so too will these delicate displays. Using tape or tacks, secure vintage doilies to the open backs of black frames. The white crochet looks especially moody hung on a deep-hued wall.

Quentin Bacon

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Lace-Stamped Coasters

The secret to this inviting witch's brew? Gin, vermouth, and a couple drops of green food coloring.

Glasses can rest in lovely peace on these coasters. Here's how to fashion your own: First, paint both sides and the rims of three-inch wooden disks ($6 for 25; craftparts.com); we chose Farrow & Ball's Green Blue and Golden's Titan Buff. Once the paint's dry, stamp on a crochet motif ($6.99 for two cling stamps, $7.99 for acrylic mounting block; eksuccessbrands.com), using a black solvent ink pad like Tsukineko's StazOn ($7.75; amazon.com). Let the ink dry for five minutes, then seal with a matte finishing spray.